Education Minister Engages University Administrators on Ongoing Strike

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has met with representatives of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and university management to find a way forward on the issues that have led to the ongoing strike by university administrative and professional staff.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to openly discuss concerns including salary adjustments, market premium, job evaluation, staff equivalences, conditions of service, outstanding allowances and retirement arrangements.

Hon. Haruna Iddrisu appealed to the striking staff to consider calling off the strike and returning to the negotiating table. He assured them of his readiness to engage the Ministry of Finance, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and other relevant institutions to help address their concerns.

The Minister stressed the need to restore peace and stability on university campuses, particularly as universities prepare for the new academic year.

He noted that significant efforts had been made to restore the academic calendar following the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and urged all parties to protect those gains.

Among the major issues discussed was the call for a fresh job evaluation.

The union argued that existing arrangements were based on earlier evaluations and called for a new exercise to reflect current responsibilities and roles.

The Minister welcomed the proposal and indicated his willingness to engage the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on the possibility of conducting a fresh job evaluation.

The meeting also addressed the outstanding one-time research allowance. Hon. Haruna Iddrisu assured the representatives that government remained committed to paying the allowance and referred to a letter dated 24 April 2026 from the Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Ampem, requesting validated and disaggregated beneficiary data to facilitate payment.

The Minister directed that the required information be submitted to the Ministry of Finance for validation and processing and assured the representatives that he would follow up on the matter.

The long-standing issue of staff equivalences also featured prominently. Prof. Anamoah explained that the equivalence arrangements had a historical basis and were intended to recognise the complementary roles of different categories of staff within the university system.

He urged all parties to understand the history of the arrangements and avoid allowing the issue to become a source of division.

Concerns were also raised about the placement of senior administrative and professional staff, including Registrars, Executive Registrars, Finance Directors and other senior officers, with the union noting possible implications for salaries and pension benefits.

The Minister took note of the concerns and said the relevant matters would be examined.

University management also appealed to the striking staff to consider returning to work while discussions continue, pointing to the impact of the strike on admissions, administration, teaching and other essential university activities.

The Minister urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid statements that could heighten tensions, stressing that the objective of the engagement was to find a lasting solution through dialogue.

At the end of the meeting, Stanley Abofam, National President, and Rev. Kweku Kakereyamwa, National President of GAUA, described the engagement as positive and fruitful.

They, however, made it clear that the strike had not been called off.

The union leadership said it would return to its constituents with the outcome of the meeting and consult them before taking a decision. The union assured the Minister that it would get back to him within 48 hours.

The meeting therefore ended with renewed commitment to dialogue and further engagement, while the industrial action remains in force pending the union’s consultations and subsequent decision.

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